THE firefighter dad of a little boy awaiting a transplant is inspiring colleagues in their efforts to send sick children to Disneyland.
Ger Dolan, Cork City Fire Service, Aidan O’Brien, Alan Cadogan, Cork Gaa, John Looney, Chairman Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club, John Dunleavy and John Kavanagh, both Cork City FC.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Stephen O’Brien will make his nine-year-old son Aidan proud when he participates in a Cork firefighters ladder climb to raise funds for the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club.
The initiative will see county and city firefighters climb ladders reaching the equivalent height of Mount Everest at 22 fire stations across Cork on Friday, September 2. A climb outside Cork City Library will make for a gripping grand finale on Sunday, September 4.
Nine-year-old Aidan from Mallow is currently unable to travel due to his disease, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, which attacks the kidneys. However, he hopes to gain the opportunity to see the theme park after his kidney transplant. The family live in hope that a suitable donor will become available in the near future so his wish can be granted.
For now Stephen is working hard to ensure that other children like Aidan experience the trip of a lifetime.
Just a year ago the little boy endured medically induced kidney failure as a result of his disease. He has since been dividing his time between three hospitals – Crumlin, Temple Street and Beaumont – and undergoes home dialysis 11 hours a day.
“Aidan is a bright, witty and very positive little boy but, unfortunately, he is often held back by his illness,” Stephen said.
“He can’t have baths and needs to be wrapped in clingfilm every time he has a shower. Aidan would also like to play on the trampoline but this is not feasible either. His biggest wish after the operation is to be able to go swimming and drink Coca-cola. At the moment he’s very limited where fluids are concerned and that’s probably one of the hardest things for him. We hope that with luck on our side he will be called for a transplant before Christmas.”
The family hope to receive some life-changing news in the coming weeks.
“Aidan’s aunts are identical twins and hope to undergo tests in the next couple of weeks to see if they are a match. They said yes to helping out in the blink of an eye. Knowing that they are willing to do anything for Aidan makes us really grateful.”
Staff of Cork city and county fire stations are joining forces to stage the fundraiser after hearing of the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club’s great work in sending deserving children to Disneyland Paris each year.
“To know that they care means everything. I don’t really believe in prayer but I believe in people. I really believe that everyone’s positivity will help Aidan get to where he needs to be. Their motivation is keeping us going.”
Aidan eventually hopes to become a doctor so he can help other children with kidney disease. “The only part I wouldn’t enjoy is giving needles,” he said. For now, his main aspirations include holidays and swimming. “One day I want to go to Fuerteventura. I hear there is a waterpark there.”
“The only part I wouldn’t enjoy is giving needles,” he said. For now, his main aspirations include holidays and swimming. “One day I want to go to Fuerteventura. I hear there is a waterpark there.”
“One day I want to go to Fuerteventura. I hear there is a waterpark there.”
Station Officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, Paul Downey added: “We really admire Stephen for coming to work every day with a positive attitude despite everything he has to go through. It doesn’t take much to put a smile on someone’s face and we want to support Stephen in any way we can.”
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